Elijahs side of the story:
I had just returned home from my mission trip in Guatemala. That Sunday night I prayed for God to bring me someone that I can grow with and serve just as He served while on earth. Little did I expect the very next day Kiyah would enter into my life. We met at connect night. She stood out to me, but she will tell you I didnt stand out to her. We were at connect night and I saw her walk by. I was playing frisbee while she was playing pickleball. Next thing you know it started to downpour. Everyone huddled up underneath a tent. I knew that was my chance to get to know her. I ran up next to her. She was talking to one of my best friends wifes. I thought they had been friends for a while. Everyone was asking me about my trip and everything I loved and did while I was there. Kiyah and I then got to talking and I tried to find every chance I could to talk to her. Comes to the end of the night we were cleaning up outside. Alex and I grabbed the cooler and carried it up. Kiyah followed carrying some things up into the kitchen. She asked, Your name is Eli, right? I responded, Yes, what is yours again? She then told me her name, and I said, I probably wont remember that. It was at that moment I thought I messed up. I prayed and prayed all week and was stressed praying she would come to connect night again. The next Monday she showed up and I was so relieved.


Kiyahs side of the story:
One of my best friends just moved away and I needed to find more community in the church. I decided to go to a Summer Night at church with Connect Night. I met some girls that I connected instantly with. I hung out with them most of the night. I didnt notice Elijah until we ran under a tarp when it started down pouring. He started talking to people about his mission trip he went on. I was thinking... okay he seems pretty strong in his faith. I then started talking to one of the girls and we were talking about how I run. Elijah budded into the conversation and asked about where I ran. That was our first conversation. I didnt think anything of it. Then it comes to the end of the night, and we brought everything up to the kitchen. I was standing waiting for one of the girls to finish up so I could say bye to her. Well Elijah was just there so I decided to talk to him. Thats when he told me that he wouldnt remember my name. I thought he was so cool. Like what a response. It definitely stood out to me. But soon after... I found out Elijah was the dorkiest man I have ever met.

Elijahs side of the story:
It all started on January 9th where I asked Clint for his blessing. A lot had happened. I was in the process of selling my dream car and buying a house for the two of us. I was so excited. There was so much planning that needed to be done. I knew I wanted her family to be there, and I knew it needed to be at the beach as that is her favorite place to be. Her mom, little sister, and I had multiple lunches without Kiyah, at all of her favorite places, to plan it all. We slipped up so many times and I am so glad that Kiyah just doesnt listen to us because it was a hard secret to keep for 4 months. Now comes April 8th. I was so excited. I wasnt nervous at all. I had told her I was going to be busy with customers all day. She was at the beach, and I knew she would be distracted. I washed my car and got her the flowers and then I was on my way. The drive was easy, and I was jamming to music the whole way down. I get there and then the nerves still hadnt hit me. I knew the answer, but I just wanted the moment to be perfect. I am walking across the boardwalk to the beach, and I see her in her new white dress. I instantly get the most nervous I had ever been. My body couldnt tell the difference from me fighting a bear or proposing to Kiyah. I am walking down, and she had no clue I was there. I stood behind her and then she was told to turn around. I will never forget her reaction to seeing me standing there. As I am talking to her telling her everything she is still in shock and asking me questions interrupting me. I will forever laugh at that.


Kiyahs side of the story:
I was completley oblivious everytime my family slipped up about the proposal. Jonlyn told me dad talked to Eli on January 9th and then she made up a reason why dad would talk to Eli. I didnt think anything of it. Then my mom said she met Elis mom. I was so confused and asked her where. She said Publix and made up a whole story. But of course...I fell for it. I am pretty gullible. Then Eli pushed the date June 3rd so hard. That is the day we met. So I really thought he was going to wait. Before we left for our trip to Amelia Island, mom told me that we are taking family photos and I need a white dress. The theme was white and cream. She bought me a dress. Then flash forward to Tuesday April 8th. We are getting ready for our photos and Maddi is filming a video of us getting ready. Eli pushed so hard that he was going to be with customers all day so I kept praying for him hoping it would all work out. Then its time to go to take our photos. Were walking down and I am not thinking anything. There is not a thought behind my eyes. I was on beach vacation mode and there wasnt anything on my mind. Now we are taking photos and Josh says, Okay just the girls. Then he said, Just Maddi and Kiyah. Then he said, Just Kiyah. I was like huh? I blurted out Thats embarrassing! Then he said he was going to get back shots and I was really confused but I posed anyways. He then told me to turn around and that is when I met eyes with Eli. I was so confused but when I saw he had flowers, I knew what was coming next. He walked over and started his speech, and I kept interrupting him. Wait you drove here? You werent with customers? So, we arent talking family photos? So many thoughts were flooding in my brain and just coming out of my mouth. I finally shut up and let the man do his little speech. He got on one knee, and I couldnt have said yes fast enough. I was so excited, and he really was the easiest yes.